Breaking his silence over the controversy surrounding his viral online video My Choice, featuring Deepika Padukone, director Homi Adajania said the clip was not sexist but targeted men with "caged-mindset."

“Owing to such a overwhelming mix of reactions, I want to restate that our film #MyChoice is a reminder that all women’s choices, however unconventional anyone can imagine, are their own,” he wrote on his Facebook page. The lines from the clip, “It is my choice to marry or not to marry… It is my choice to have sex before marriage or have sex outside the marriage…,” were criticised by many for conveying a wrong message. (WATCH: Deepika Padukone’s My Choice: Men hit back – male version of video says men don’t support cheating!)

Adajania, in his defence, said, “The intention of the film does not in any way advocate or promote the actions in the words and we all have to make choices in life after considering the consequences. It’s a two-and-a-half minute clip that obviously can’t cover such a complex issue… For those who got this and still didn’t agree with the film that is their choice and I totally respect that.”

Adajania said the reason why the video became viral was because many misunderstood the message. “For those who felt the message was unclear and are upset in anyway, I promise that was never my intention. For those who think it is sexist or male-bashing, it is talking to a man with a caged-mind and NOT to liberated people out there who treat women with respect and equality (sic),” he said.

Taking a dig at his critics, Adajania said that he was ready to be misunderstood if it sparks a debate on an important issue like this. “Ironically, the misunderstanding is what made #MyChoice go explosively viral and if that’s what it takes to get people discussing gender equality then I am willing to take the hit and be misunderstood. More power to women and let’s hope that a healthy discussion on gender equality continues. One love,” he concluded.